Guide structure for flushing valve mechanism



5, 1960 c. J. DAVIES 2,919,446

GUIDE STRUCTURE FOR FLUSHING VALVE MECHANISM Filed Sept. 4, 1957 2Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

CLARENCE J. DAVIES I; 4 BY E pw mz ml ATT O R N E S 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Sept. 4, 1957 INVENTOR.

CLARENCE J. DAVIES ATTORNEYS United tates atent GUIDE STRUCTURE FORFLUSHING VALVE MECHANISM Clarence J. Davies, Mount Clemens, Mich,assignor to Lloyd N. McGrath and John G. Tornlan, doing business as D; &S. Stamping C0., Utica, Mich co-partners Application September 4, 1957,Serial No. 681,996

' 11 Claims. 01. 4-57 This invention relates generally to waterdischarge or flushing valve mechanism for toilet rlush tanks, and refersmore. particularly to a structure that may be applied either as anattachment to or part of the Original installation to guide the usualvertically movable water discharge bulb or ball valve and its uprightstem during operation thereof, so that said valve and stem will functionproperly at all times without being held or restrained or otherwiserestricted in any position thereof.

"One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a guidestructure that will positively guide the water discharge bulb or ballvalve to and from its seat, and that will permit such valve to movefreely in a vertical path relative to said seat, whereby the properseating 'of the valve is always insured whenever it is-operated.

Another object is to provide a guide structure that will positivelyguide the upright stem of the bulb or ball valve during verticalmovement thereof and that will perinit'such stem to more freely in avertical path with the valve, whereby perfect co-ordination of movementof the stem and valve will always be obtained during operation thereof.

Another object is to provide a guide structure wherein Y the guide meansfor the stem comprises means for guiding the loop or eye of the usuallifter wire, so that such loop will always be substantially concentricwith said stem and will always be in proper vertical alignment orregistration with the conventional vertically extending valve stem guideopening in the usual horizontal arm or bracket attached to the overflowpipe in the flush tank, and thus cannot push or bind against said stemor other- .wise prevent the bulb or ball valve from dropping prop erlyto closed position on its seat.

. envelope or relatively small package and that can be easily andquickly assembled and installed by the user without requiring specialtools.

Another object is to provide a guide structure that can be employed withstandard or conventional valve mechanism for toilet flush tanks withoutsubstituting or otherwise changing any of the parts thereof.

Another object is to provide a guide structure that is simple inconstruction, economical to manufacture, efficient in use, and that willinsure continuous troublefree operation of the flushing valve mechanismfor toilet flush tanks.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of thisinvention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds,especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary front elevation of a flush tank, with partsbroken away and showing a guide structure embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the operating handle andassociated parts, and showing a portion of the front wall of the tankbroken away and in section.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially onthe line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the guide structure illustrated inFigure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the guidestructure illustrated in Figure 5, and showing the crimped connectionbetween the guide wire holder and one of the wires of the guidestructure.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the guidestructure illustrated in Figure 5, but showing a wire retainer ring thatis employed with the guide wire holder and guide wires, instead of thecrimped construction illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 ofFigure 7. V

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing a slightmodification.

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the lineIll-l0 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the linel1-l1 of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is on a vertical sectional view taken substantially on theline 1212 of Figure 10.

In the drawings, A is a toilet flush tank adapted to receive water inthe usual manner from a conventional upstanding water inlet pipe (notshown) under the control of a conventional float carrying arm or lever(not shown). The water inlet valve mechanism and asso ciated elementsform no partof the present invention and may be any suitableconstruction.

B is the usual water outlet fitting extending through the bottom 10 ofthe tank and having both a seat 11 for the usual vertically movablewater discharge bulb or ball valve 12, and a passage 13 to which theusual upstanding water overflow pipe 14 is connected.

15 is the usual upright stem detachably secured to said valve 12 andhaving a loop or eye 16 at its upper end, and C is the usual bracketclamped upon the upright overflow pipe 14 and having a horizontal arm'17 provided at its free end with a vertically extending tubular portionor opening .18 that receives and forms a guideway for the stem 15.

D is the usual substantially horizontal lifter lever having the usuallongitudinally spaced holes 19 therein adjacent one end thereof, andhaving its other end bent at substantially right angles thereto as at19c, and mounted to turn in a fulcrum or sleeve 1% within the uprightfront wall 20 of the tank. E is the usual lifter wire or link having avertically extending arm portion 21 provided at its upper end with ahook 22 engaging one of the holes 19 in the lifter lever D and having ahorizontal arm portion 23 provided at its outer end with a verticallyopening horizontal loop or eye 24, encircling or loosely sleeved on thestem 15, and substantially concentric therewith. F is the usualopera-ting handle having the usual horizontal operating shaft (notshown) rotatably mounted in the fulcrum or sleeve 1% and operativelyconnected to the bent end portion 19a of the lifter lever D.

Preferably, the guide structure G embodying my invention comprises fourguide wires 30, a guide wire holder 31, a stop disc or washer 32, and aWire retainer ring 33.

As shown, the lower upright portions 34 of the guide wires are spacedlaterally apart in the arc of a circle to form a tubular enclosure forguiding the vertically movable ball valve 12 throughout its verticalmovement, while the upper upright portions 35 of said wires are spacedcloser together in the arc of a circle to form a smaller tubularenclosure for guiding the loop 24 sleeved upon the vertically movablestem 15.

Preferably, the lower ends of the lower portions 34 of the wires are cuton an angle, as at 36, to enable such cut ends to be embedded readily inthe usual rubber gasket or washer 37 on the bottom of the tank, so thatsuch lower wire portions 34 will be effectively held against theperiphery of the usual circular flange 38 of the water outlet fittingsB. If for any reason the gasket 37 should be smaller in diameter, forexample, substantially equal in diameter to the flange 38, then the cutlower ends of lower wire portions 34 may rest upon the bottom 13 of thetank.

Located between the lower and upper wire portions 34 and 35 arehorizontal wire portions 39 that are terminally connected to the upperends of the lower wire portions 34 and to the lower ends of the upperwire portions 35. The holder 31 is located at the juncture of the upperwire portions 35 and the horizontal wire portions 39, and effectivelyretains all of the wire portions aforesaid in proper spaced relation toeach other. Preferably, this holder 31 has two vertically spacedhorizontally disposed disc portions or plates 40 and 41 respectively,provided centrally thereof with oppositely struck-out tubular portions42 and 43 that fit one within the other between the discs 40 and 41 andare rigidly secured together. These discs 40 and 41 are provided withvertically aligned holes that receive the upper wire portions 35. Thelower disc 40 has a depending peripheral or marginal flange 45 providedwith circumferentially spaced notches or recesses 46 that receive thehorizontal wire portions 39, while the upper disc 41 has a substantiallyfrusto-conical depressed portion 41a receiving the lower end of thevertically extending tubular portion 18 of the arm 17.

When the parts are manufactured and assembled at the factory, theopposite edges of said recesses 46 are pinched or crimpcd againstopposite sides of the horizontal wires 39, as at 47, to securely retainthe parts in assembled relation and thereby prevent any accidentaldisplacement of the wires 30 relative to the holder 31, or of the holder31 relative to the wires 30. However, when the parts are to be shippeddisassembled in an envelope or relatively small package and are to beassembled and installed by the user without requiring special tools, the

split spring wire retainer ring 33 is employed by the user when theguide structure is assembled by him prior to installation, and is placedby the user on top of the upper disc 41 so that it engages suitablepre-formed notches 48 in the outer sides of the upper wire portions 35.Thus, in this instance, the ring 33 will be employed instead of thecrirnped portions 47 to retain the parts in assembled relation andthereby prevent the guide wires 36 from being accidentally displacedfrom the holder 31 after being assembled therewith prior toinstallation. Such ring 33 also effectively prevents any accidentaldisplacement of the holder 31 relative to the horizontal wire portions3? after the assembly is made prior to installation.

The stop disc or washer 32 fits between and preferably engages suitablypre-formed notches 50 in the inner sides of the upper wire portions 35adjacent their upper ends, so as to be in the upward path of the eye 16of the stem and thereby limit its upward movement. The ball valve 12 isconnected to the stern, consequently such stop disc 32 will also limitthe upward movement of the ball valve 12. The spring tension of theupper wire portions 35, which have a tendency to converge at their upperends before the stop disc 32 is inserted, assists in maintaining thestop disc 32 in assembled relation with the wires. Thus, the ball valve12 will not be raised higher than necessary, and the stop usually builtinto the fulcrum for the lifter lever D may be eliminated entirely.

In use, when the handle F is operated to flush the toilet, the lifterlever D and lifter wire or link B will raise the stem 15 and ball valve12 so that the latter will be lifted from its seat 11. Water in the tankA may then flow downwardly through the outlet fitting B in the usualmanner. When the operating handle F is released, the stem 15, lifterwire E and lifter lever D will then fall or move downwardly, and therebywill reset the operating handle F for future operation. Temporarily, theball valve 12 will float until the water is substantially drained fromthe tank A, whereupon the suction created in the outlet fitting B willcause the ball valve 12 to fall onto its seat 11. Between the time whenthe lifter wire E returns to the lowered reset position just mentionedand the time when the ball valve 12 thereafter falls, as aforesaid, itis essential that the loop 24 of the lifter wire E be held concentricwith stem 15 and in proper alignment or registration with the verticallyextending tubular portion or opening 18, so that no binding of the stem15 occurs. My guide structure effectively prevents such binding action.

When the lifter lever D and lifter wire or link E are actuated, asaforesaid, by the operating handle F, the loop 24 of the lifter wire orlink E will travel upwardly against the loop or eye 16 of the stem 15and will cause the latter, and the ball valve 12 connected thereto, tomove upwardly. When the loop 24 of the lifter wire or link E movesupwardly, it is guided by the upper portions 35 of the wires 30, andlikewise such loop 24 will be guided by said wire portions 35 when itmoves downwardly as the ball valve 12 descends toward its seat 11. Sincethe loop 24 is substantially concentric with the stem 15 and is guidedduring vertical movement upwardly and downwardly by the upper portions35 of the wires, it will be apparent that such loop 24 will always be invertical alignment or registration with the vertically extending tubularportion or valve stem guide opening 18, and thus cannot push or bindagainst the stem 15 or otherwise restrain said stem or prevent the ballvalve 12 connected to said stem from falling properly to closed positionon its seat 11.

When the lifter lever D and lifter link E are actuated by the operatinghandle F to raise the ball valve 12, as aforesaid, the upward movementof said ball valve 12 is limited by the engagement of the eye 16 of thestem 15 with the stop element 32, so that the ball valve 12 will not beraised higher than necessary.

When the ball valve 12 moves upwardly and downwardly, as aforesaid, itis effectively guided by the lower portions 34 of the wires 30, hencethe ball valve 12 will always be properly guided from and to its seat11, and the proper seating of said valve is always insured whenever itis operated.

The guide structure just described is adapted to be applied as anattachment to or incorporated in the water discharge flushing valvemechanism after it has been manufactured or originally installed.However, it is apparent that such guide structure could be applied to orincorporated in said valve mechanism at the time it is manufactured atthe factory, if desired.

In Figures 9 to 12 inclusive, 1 have illustrated a slight modificationwherein the guide structure G includes a cast metal bracket 60 andseparate lower and upper upright guide wires 61 and 62, respectively.

As shown, the bracket or casting 60 serves as a wire holder and isclamped upon the upright overflow pipe 14. Preferably, this bracket orcasting 60 has a horizontal arm 63 provided at its free end with aspider portion 64 having a central body portion 65 and four radiallyextending arm portions 66.

The body portion 65 has a vertically extending opening 67 that receivesand guides the stem 15, and is provided in the arc of a circle withspaced sockets 68 that receive the lower ends of the upper guide wires62 for the loop 24 of the lifter wire or link E. The arm portions 66 ofthe spider portion 64 are provided at their outer ends in the arc of acircle with suitable sockets 69 that receive the upper ends of the lowerguide wires 61 for the bulb or ball valve 12.

= The guide wires 61 and 62 respectively comprise separate straightlengths of wire and may be retained in the respective sockets 68 and 69by any suitable means. For example, such wires may be soldered or mayhave a press fit in the sockets 68 and 69, or may be embedded in thecasting 60 when it is formed. Preferably, the lower guide wires 61terminate short of the outlet fitting B but extend downward far enoughfrom the casting 60 to effectively guide the bulbor ball valve 12 to andfrom its seat 11 during upward and downward vertical movement thereof.

' Thus, the lower ends of these lower guide wires 61 are fre'eto beadjusted relative to each other to provide the proper clearance desiredfor the bulb or ball valve 12.

The modification just described is adapted to be applied to orincorporated in the original installation of the water dischargeflushing valve mechanism at the time it is manufactured at the factory.However, it is apparent that the usual bracket C may be eliminated andreplaced b'y'the bracket 60, so that the modified guide structure couldbe applied as an attachment to or incorporated in thewater dischargeflushing valve mechanism after it has been manufactured or originallyinstalled.

vThe functcion and operation of the modified guide structure G is thesame as thefunction and operation of the guide structure G, hence itwill be unnecessary to describe the use or operation thereof.

What I claim as my invention is:

1.' The combination with a toilet tank, a water outlet fittingextendingupwardly through the bottom of said tank and having an upwardlyopening valve seat, a gasket on the bottom of said tank and surroundingsaid fitting, an upstanding water overflow pipe connected to saidfitting, a'vertically movable ball valve engageable with said seat andhaving an upright stem provided at its upper end with an eye, a bracketmounted upon said overflow pipe and having a horizontal arm providedwith a vertically extending tubular portion receiving and forming aguideway for said stem, and actuating means for said ball valveincluding a pivotally mounted lifter lever, and a lifter link suspendedfrom said lever and having a loop sleeved on said stem below said eye,of a guide structure for said ball valve and said stem operable topreclude any binding action between the loop andst'em and between thestem and tubular guideway, comprising a series of wireshavingintermediate their ends spaced horizontal portions, lower uprightportions projecting downwardly from the outer ends of said horizontalportions, and upper upright portions projecting upwardly from the innerends of said horizontal portions, said lower upright portions beingspaced laterally apart in the arc of a circle about and forming anupright enclosure for guiding said ball valve, said upper uprightportions being spaced laterally apart in the arc of a a circle about andforming an upright enclosure for guiding said loop, the lower ends ofsaid lower upright portions being embedded in said gasket, a discbetween and engaging notches in said upper upright portions adjacenttheir upper ends, said disc being in the upward path of 'andoperable asan abutment for said eye to limitupward movement of said ball valve, anda holder for said-wires having portions respectively receiving saidhorizontal portions and said upper upright portions, and I havinganother portion receiving the lower end of said tubular guidewayandholding the lower ends of said lower up- I right portions againstdisplacement from said gasket.

a vertically movable ball valve engageable with said seat and having anupright stem provided at its upper end with an eye, a bracket mountedupon said overflow pipe and having a horizontal arm provided with avertically extending tubular portion receiving and forming a guidewayfor said stem, and actuating means for said ball valve including apivotally mounted lifter lever, and a lifter link suspended from saidlever, and a lifter link suspended from said lever and having a loopsleeved on said stem below said eye, of a guide structure for said ballvalve and said stem operable to preclude any binding action between theloop and stem and between the stem and tubular guideway, comprising aseries of wires having intermediate their ends spaced horizontalportions, lower upright portions projecting downwardly from the outerends of said horizontal portions, and upper upright portions projectingupwardly from the inner ends of said horizontal portions, said lowerupright portions being spaced laterally apart in the arc of a circleabout and forming an upright enclosure for guiding said ball valve, saidupper upright portions being spaced laterally apart in the arc of acircle about and forming an upright enclosure for guidingsaid loop, adisc between and engaging notches in said upper upright portionsadjacent their upper ends, said disc being in the upward path of andoperable as an abutment for said eye to limit upward movement of saidball valve, and a holder for said wires having portions respectivelyreceiving said horizontal portions and said upper upright portions.

3. The combination with a toilet tank, a water outlet fitting extendingupwardly through the bottom of said tank and having an upwardly openingvalve seat, a gasket on the bottom of said tank and surrounding saidfitting, an upstanding water overflow pipe connected to said fitting, avertically movable ball valve engageable with said seat and having anupright stem provided at its upper end with an eye, a bracket mountedupon said overflow pipe and having a horizontal arm provided with avertically extending tubular portion receiving and forming a guidewayfor said stem, and actuating means for said ball valve including apivotally mounted lifter lever, and a lifter link suspended from saidlever and having a loop sleeved on said stem below said eye, of a guidestructure for said ball valve and said stem operable to preclude anybinding action between the loop and stem and between the stem andtubular guideway, comprising a series of Wires having'interrnediatetheir ends spaced horizontal portions, lower upright portions projectingdownwardly from the outer ends of said horizontal portions, and upperupright portions project-ing upwardly from the inner ends of saidhorizontal portions, said lower upright portions being spaced laterallyapart in the arc of a circle about and forming an upright enclosure forguiding said ball valve, said upper upright portions being spacedlaterally apart in the arc of a circle about and forming an uprightenclosure for guiding said loop, the lower ends of said lower uprightportions being embedded in said gasket, and a holder for said wireshaving portions respectively receiving said horizontal portions and saidupper upright portions, and having another portion receiving the lowerend of said tubular guideway and holding the lower ends of said lowerupright portions against displacement from said gasket.

4. The combination with a toilet tank, a water outlet fitting extendingupwardly through the bottom of said tank and having an upwardly openingvalve seat, an upstanding water overflow pipe connected to said fitting,a verticallymovableball valve engageable with said seat and having anupright stern provided at its upper end with an eye, a bracket mountedupon said overflow pipe and having a horizontal arm provided with avertically extending tubular portion receiving and forming a guidewayfor said stem, and actuating meansfor said ball valve including apivotally mounted lifter lever, and a lifter link suspended from saidlever and having a loop sleeved on said stem below said eye, of a guidestructure for said ball valve and said stern operable to preclude anybinding action between the loop and stem and between the stem andtubular guideway, comprising a series of wires having intermediate theirends spaced horizontal portions, lower upright portions projectingdownwardly from the outer ends of said horizontal portions, and upperupright portions projecting upwardly from the inner ends of saidhorizontal portions, said lower upright portions being spaced laterallyapart in the arc of a circle about and forming an upright enclosure forguiding said ball valve, said upper upright portions being spacedlaterally apart in the are of a circle about and forming an uprightenclosure for guiding said loop, and a holding element for said wireshaving means for positioning said horizontal portions radially and saidupper upright portions vertically, the central portion of said holdingelement being in engagement with the tubular portion of said bracket.

5. The combination with a toilet tank, a water outlet fitting extendingupwardly through the bottom of said tank and having an upwardly openingvalve seat, a gasket on the bottom of said tank and surrounding saidfitting, an upstanding water overflow pipe connected to said fitting, avertically movable ball valve engageable with said seat and having anupright stem provided at its upper end with an eye, a bracket mountedupon said overflow pipe and having a horizontal arm provided with avertically extending tubular portion receiving and forming a guidewayfor said stern, and actuating means for said ball valve including apivotally mounted lifter lever, and a lifter link suspended from saidlever and having a loop sleeved on said stern below said eye, of a guidestructure for said ball valve and said stem operable to preclude anybinding action between the loop and stem and between the stem andtubular guideway, comprising a holder, wires projecting downwardly fromsaid holder about and forming an upright enclosure for guiding said ballvalve, wires projecting upwardly from said holder and forming an uprightenclosure for guiding said loop, the lower ends of said downwardlyprojecting wires being embedded in said gasket, and a disc between andengaging notches in said upwardly projecting wires adjacent their upperends, said disc being in the upward path of and operable as an abutmentfor said eye to limit upward movement of said ball valve, said holderhaving a portion engaging the lower end of said tubular guideway andholding the lower ends of said downwardly projecting wires againstdisplacement from said gasket.

6. The combination with a toilet tank, a water outlet fitting extendingupwardly through the bottom of said tank and having an upwardly openingvalve seat, an

upstanding water overflow pipe connected to said fitting, a verticallymovable ball valve engageable with said seat and having an upright stemprovided at its upper end with an eye, a bracket mounted upon saidoverflow pipe and having a horizontal arm provided with a verticallyextending tubular portion receiving and forming a guideway for saidstem, and actuating means for said ball valve including a pivotallymounted lifter lever, and a lifter link suspended from said lever andhaving a loop sleeved on said stem below said eye, of a guide structurefor said ball valve and said stem operable to preclude any bindingaction between the loop and stem and between the stem and tubularguideway, comprising a holder, wires projecting downwardly from saidholder about and forming an upright enclosure for guiding said ballvalve, wires projecting upwardly from said holder and forming an uprightenclosure for guiding said loop, and a disc between and engaging notchesin said upwardly projecting wires adjacent their upper ends, said discbeing in the upward path of and operable as an abutment for said eye tolimit upward movement of said ball valve.

7. The combination with a toilet tank, a water outlet fitting extendingupwardly through the bottom of said tank and having an upwardly openingvalve seat, a gasket on the bottom of said tank and surrounding saidfitting, an upstanding water overflow pipe connected to said fitting, avertically movable ball valve engageable with said seat and having anupright stern provided at its upper end with an eye, a bracket mountedupon said overflow pipe and having a horizontal arm provided with avertically extending tubular portion receiving and forming a guidewayfor said stem, and actuating means for said ball valve including apivotally mounted lifter lever, and a lifter link suspended from saidlever and having a loop sleeved on said stem below said eye, of a guidestructure for said ball valve and said stem operable to preclude anybinding action between the loop and stem and between the stem andtubular guideway, comprising a holder, wires projecting downwardly fromsaid holder about and forming an upright enclosure for guiding said ballvalve, and wires projecting upwardly from said holder and forming anupright enclosure for guiding said loop, the lower ends of saiddownwardly projecting wires being embedded in said gasket, said holderhaving a portion engaging the lower end of said tubular guideway andholding the lower ends of said downwardly projecting wires againstdisplacement from said gasket.

8. The combination of a toilet tank equipped with a water outlet fittingprovided with an upwardly opening valve seat, an upstanding wateroverflow pipe connected to said fitting, a vertically movable ball valveengageable with said seat and having an upright stem provided at itsupper end with an eye, a bracket mounted upon said overflow pipe andhaving a horizontal arm provided with a vertically extending tubularportion receiving and forming a guideway for said stem, and actuatingmeans for said ball valve including a pivotally mounted lifter lever,and a lifter link suspended from said lever and having a loop sleeved onsaid stem below said eye, of a guide structure for said ball valve andsaid stem operable to preclude any binding action between the loop andstem and between the stem and tubular guideway, comprising a series ofseparate wires having intermediate their ends horizontal portions spacedlaterally apart in a common horizontal plane, lower upright portionsprojecting downwardly from the outer ends of said horizontal portions,and upper upright portions projecting upwardly from the inner ends ofsaid horizontal portions, said lower upright portions being spacedlaterally apart in the arc of a circle about and forming an uprightenclosure for guiding said ball valve, said upper upright portions beingspaced laterally apart in the arc of a circle about and forming anupright enclosure for guiding said loop, a holder for said separatewires having two vertically spaced horizontal plates each having aplurality of holes therein, the holes in one of said plates being invertical alignment with the holes in the other of said plates, saidaligned holes cooperating to accommodate the upper upright portions ofsaid wires, the lowermost of said plates having depending flange meansprovided with downwardly opening slots receiving the horizontal portionsof said wires, the uppermost of said plates having a portion engageablewith the lower end of said tubular guideway, and a disc between andengaging notches in the upper upright portions of said wires adjacenttheir upper ends, said disc being in the upward path of and operable asan abutment for the eye of the upright stem for said ball valve to limitupward movement of said ball valve.

9. The combination of a toilet tank equipped with a water outlet fittingprovided with an upwardly opening valve seat, an upstanding wateroverflow pipe connected to said fitting, a vertically movable ball valveengageable with said seat and having an upright stern provided at itsupper end with an eye, a bracket mounted upon said overflow pipe andhaving a horizontal arm provided with a vertically extending tubularportion receiving and forming a guideway for said stem, and actuatingmeans for said ball valve including a pivotally mounted lifter lever,and a lifter link suspended from said lever and having a loop sleeved onsaid stem below said eye, of a guide structure for said ball valve andsaid stem operable to preclude any binding action between the loop andstem and between the stem and tubular guideway, comprising a series ofseparate wires having intermediate their ends horizontal portions spacedlaterally apart, lower upright portions projecting downwardly from theouter ends of said horizontal portions, and upper upright portionsprojecting upwardly from the inner ends of said horizontal portions,said lower upright portions being spaced laterally apart in the arc of acircle about and forming an upright enclosure for guiding said ballvalve, said upper upright portions being spaced laterally apart in thearc of a circle about and forming an upright enclosure for guiding saidloop, and a common holder for said separate wires having two verticallyspaced horizontal plates each having a plurality of holes therein, theholes in one of said plates being in vertical alignment with the holesin the other of said plates, said aligned holes cooperating toaccommodate the upper upright portions of said wires, the lowermost ofsaid plates having depending flange means provided with downwardlyopening slots receiving the horizontal portions of said wires, theuppermost of said plates having a portion engageable with the lower endof said tubular guideway.

10. The combination of a toilet tank equipped with a water outletfitting provided with an upwardly opening valve seat, an upstandingwater overflow pipe connected to said fitting, a vertically movable ballvalve engageable with said seat and having an upright stem provided atits upper end with an eye, a bracket mounted upon said overflow pipe andhaving a horizontal arm provided with a vertically extending tubularportion receiving and forming a guideway for said stem, and actuatingmeans for said ball valve including a pivotally mounted lifter lever,and a lifter link suspended from said lever and having a loop sleeved onsaid stem below said eye, of a guide structure for said ball valve andsaid stem operable to preclude any binding action between the loop andstem and between the stem and tubular guideway, comprising a series ofseparate wires having intermediate their ends horizontal portions spacedlaterally apart, lower upright portions projecting downwardly from theouter ends of said horizontal portions, and upper upright portionsprojecting upwardly from the inner ends of said horizontal portions,said lower upright portions being spaced laterally apart in the arc of acircle about and forming an upright enclosure for guiding said ballvalve, said upper upright portions being spaced laterally apart in thearc of a circle about and forming an upright enclosure for guiding saidloop, and a common holder for said separate wires having two verticallyspaced horizontal plates each having a plurality of holes therein, theholes in one of said plates being in vertical alignment with the holesin the other of said plates, said aligned holes cooperating toaccommodate the upper upright portions of said wires, the lowermost ofsaid plates having depending flange means provided with downwardlyopening slots receiving the horizontal portions of said wires.

11. The combination of a toilet tank equipped with a water outletfitting provided with an upwardly opening valve seat, an upstandingwater overflow pipe connected to said fitting, a vertically movable ballvalve engageable with said seat and having an upright stem provided atits upper end with an eye, a bracket mounted upon said overflow pipe andhaving a horizontal arm provided with a vertically extending tubularportion receiving and forming a guideway for said stem, and actuatingmeans for said ball valve including a pivotally mounted lifter lever,and a lifter link suspended from said lever and having a loop sleeved onsaid stem below said eye, of a guide structure for said ball valve andsaid stem operable to preclude any binding action between the loop andstem and between the stern and tubular guideway, comprising a series ofseparate wires having intermediate their ends horizontal portions spacedlaterally apart, lower upright portions projecting downwardly from theouter ends of said horizontal portions, and upper upright portionsprojecting upwardly from the inner ends of said horizontal portions,said lower upright portions being spaced laterally apart in the arc of acircle about and forming an upright enclosure for guiding said ballvalve, said upper upright portions being spaced laterally apart in thearc of a circle about and forming an upright enclosure for guiding saidloop, and a common holder for said separate wires having means receivingthe upper upright portions of said wires and having means receiving thehorizontal portions of said wires, and means between and in engagementwith the upper upright portions of said Wires adjacent their upper endsin the upward path of and operable as an abutment for the eye of theupright stem of said ball valve to limit the upward movement of saidball valve.

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